UCR INTERVIEW: Sydney Macfarlane of The National Parks

On March 20th, The National Parks will be performing at Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City. The National Parks formed in Provo, Utah in 2013. They’ve continued to grow in popularity selling out shows across the country. The Vivint Arena show is significant not only for the Utah-based band headlining their first arena concert but for their fans as well. Hopefully this a sign that things will be getting back to normal in the live music world. As the band prepares for this monster event, I had the opportunity to visit with The National Parks Keyboardist and Vocalist, Sydney Mcfarlane. Enjoy!
-Kevin

Interviewed By Kevin Rolfe

 UCR: First off, thank you so much for taking the time. I imagine you probably have so much prep going on leading up to all this. So thank you very much.

Sydney:  Oh, yeah, no problem.  Yeah, it’s busy, but it’ll be good. We’re excited.

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UCR INTERVIEW: Christopher Shayne

Arizona Southern Rocker, Christopher Shayne recently released his highly anticipated debut EP, Ten High. As I’m sure you can imagine, Christopher is anxious to get the band together and hit the road to share his music. In the meantime, we were able to catch up with him to discuss the EP, what it’s like being a southern rocker in Arizona, and how he discovered his voice. I really enjoyed this Utah Concert Review interview with Christopher Shayne. Hope you enjoy our conversation!

Kevin Rolfe (Interviewer)

UCR: So where am I speaking to you from today? Tonight?

Christopher: We are in my home studio because I’m not allowed to go anywhere else.

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UCR INTERVIEW: Nina Herzog

Nina Herzog is a singer/songwriter from Los Angeles California. Nina first stepped into the spotlight as the speaking and singing voice of Odette, The Swan Princess, in Sony Animation’s “The Swan Princess” series. She has also done an extensive amount of session and voice over work along with various performances with symphonies around the country including the National Symphony Orchestra in Washington D.C.

Nina will be releasing her EP Together Away on March 12. She has just recently released her version of the Elvis Presley Classic, “Can’t Help Falling in Love” in February. I had the opportunity to chat with Nina about making her own music after performing and recording other people’s songs for so long. Enjoy!

Kevin Rolfe

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UCR INTERVIEW: Tim Smith of The Lickerish Quartet

THE LICKERISH QUARTETex-Jellyfish members Roger Joseph Manning Jr.
(Beck, Air, Cheap Trick, Imperial Drag), Tim Smith (Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, The Finn Brothers, Sheryl Crow, Umajets) and Eric Dover (Imperial Drag, Slash’s Snakepit, Alice Cooper, Sextus)—is standing by their promise to their fans to release more new music before the end of 2020. They’re excited to announce their highly anticipated THREESOME VOL. 2 EP, which was released on January 8, 2021, via Stranger Danger Records and Tapes. The first single and video, “Snollygoster Goon,” can be seen now on the band’s official YouTube page and streamed on Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon.

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UCR INTERVIEW: Cherish DeGraaf

Photo Credit: Rachel Clark

By: Kevin Rolfe

For the next two weekends, Velour Live Music Gallery will be celebrating the 10th Anniversary of their highly acclaimed all female showcase Les Femmes De Velour.  This is one of our favorite events of the year here at UCR. The showcase has been expanded from one weekend to two and will be featuring 26 incredible female artists.  We caught up with Cherish DeGraaf who will be performing on Night 1 (2/20). Here is our conversation. Enjoy!

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UCR Interview: Jeff Scott Soto of Sons of Apollo

Interview By: Kevin Rolfe

Sons of Apollo are a supergroup consisting of members of Dream Theater, Guns N Roses, Mr. Big, and Journey. Sons of Apollo will be in Salt Lake City on January 28, 2020 at The Commonwealth Room. I had the opportunity to speak with lead singer Jeff Scott Soto recently leading up to their tour promoting their latest release MMXX. Jeff has been associated with Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Queen Extravaganza, and most notably Journey. I’ve been impressed with Jeff’s versatility and ability to continue to work in an industry that is ready to kick you to the street on your first setback. I really enjoyed visiting with him. Here’s our conversation.

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UCR Interview- David Archuleta

Interviewed By: Kevin Rolfe

Photo Credit: Cyrus Panganiban

Note from Kevin:

David Archuleta has been busy lately! He just released a deluxe version of his Winter In The Air album, a new single “Paralyzed” and he’s back on the road with his US Christmas Tour 2019. David made his first stop in Utah this past weekend in Richfield. He’ll be returning to Utah tomorrow in Moab and make his way up to Salt Lake City at the newly renovated Capitol Theater on November 30th. He will then close the tour in Logan on December 23. I had the opportunity to chat with David the Monday following the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints broadcast announcing their new youth program. David was invited to perform at the broadcast as he debuted the youth theme song for 2020. I was able to talk to David about that experience along with a variety of other topics ranging from American Idol to Kanye West & Billie Eilish to losing his voice. This was my second time getting to interview David. I enjoy it more and more each time. Here’s our interview. Enjoy!

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